State by State Liability Tests

 

 

State by State Liability Tests By: James F. Pastor, PhD, JD President of SecureLaw Ltd. and Associate Professor in Public Safety at Calumet College of St. Joseph Introduction & Caveats 

The table incorporated into this document includes three general categories: the state, the legal test, and the legal authority. When using the table for litigation or security purposes, please check with your legal advisor to assess the case authority and research the law of the state to assess its current legal standard. As such, the reader should review the table with some caution. Before using this table, a few caveats are in order. First, the table lists tests applied in each state. While this information appears straightforward, the fact that some states have developed standards that are difficult to characterize in any definitive manner creates some ambiguity. For example, some states will use a defined test, such as prior similar incidents, but will differ in its application. In this way, a particular state may use a more liberal view versus others that may use a more conservative approach. Hence, even when the test is defined, the application of the test may vary based on a liberal or conservative bend or mind-set of the court. Second, the chart lists tests that are sometimes adaptations from several different tests that are often also difficult to characterize in any defined way. For example, when one compares the actual or constructive test to the aggressor/imminent danger test, the distinctions are fine or slight. In the former, the test seems to combine knowledge of the offender and of a particular crime, while the latter focuses much more directly toward the particular offender who may commit a particular violent crime. This assessment also takes into account the temporal factor discussed previously. In fact, the distinctions between these tests may be so fine as to be legally and factually meaningless. Notwithstanding this assertion, the test articulated by the court is the one listed in the chart. A third issue related to this caveat is that sometimes a particular state will not articulate a particular test or it will change from one test to another. Since legal standards are very fact specific, courts may tend to frame the legal analysis around the facts of a particular case. Hence, sometimes there is a “chicken and an egg” scenario. Stated another way, it is difficult to assess which is paramount, the legal standard or the facts. The interrelationship between the two sometimes makes it hard to distinguish which has first priority.

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  Despite these caveats, this table nevertheless remains a valuable tool. Indeed, the value of this table is that it attempts to define a difficult, often fluid, area of the law. To the best of my knowledge, no other author has developed a table of this type. Hopefully, the attempt to place clear distinctions between the varying state laws into an easily reviewable table can be a useful tool for those who need to get a sense of the law in a particular state, or of the broader concept of security law. While it may appear that the caveats mentioned above “swallow” the table, the reality is that the chart reflects the difficulty in assessing security law generally. That is, security standards, just like legal standards, are very fact specific. Sometimes facts are difficult to neatly categorize. As a result, security and legal standards are also hard to categorize. This is one of the reasons why this analysis is useful and necessary. Stated another way, the value of the table (and this document) are that they shed light on difficult and fluid subject matter. State Alabama

Legal Test Actual or Constructive Knowledge

Legal Authority Whataburger, Inc., v. Rockwell, 706 So. 2d 1220 (1997)  Broadus v. Chevron, Chevron, 677 So. So. 2d 199 (1996)  Baptist Memorial Memorial Hospital v. v. Gosa, 686 So. 2d 1147 (1996)  E.H. v. Overlook Mountain Lodge, Lodge, 638 So. 2d 781 (1994)

Alaska

Known Aggressor/ Imminent Danger

 Hedrick v. v. Fraternal Order Order of Fishermen, 103 F. Supp. 582 (1952) 

Arizona

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

Gipson v. Kasey, 129 P. 3d 957 (2006)  McFarlin v. v. Hall, 619 P. 2d 729 (1980) 

Arkansas

Known Aggressor/ Imminent Danger

 Boren v. Worthen Worthen National National Bank, 921 S.W. 2d 934 (1996) 

California

Prior Similar Incidents

Wiener v. Southcoast Child Care, 88 P. 3d 517 (2004)  Mata v. Mata, Mata, 105 Cal. App. 4th 1121 (2003)  Delgado v. v. Trax Bar & Grill, 75 P. 3d 29 (2003) 

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  Keller v. Koca, 111 P. 3d 445 (2005) Taco Bell v. Lannon, 744 P. 2d 43 (1987) 

Colorado

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

Connecticut

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

 Monk v. Temple Temple George Associates, Associates, 869 A. 2d 179 (2005) Stewart v. Federated Dept. Stores, 662 A. 2d 753 (1995)  Antrum v Church’s Church’s Fried Chicken, Chicken, 499 A. 2d 807 (1985) 

Delaware

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

Koutoufaris v. Dick, 604 A. 2d 390 (1992)  Hughes v. Jardel, Jardel, 523 A. 2d 518 518 (1987) 

District of

Totality of the Circumstances

 Bailey v. District District of Columbia, Columbia, 668

Columbia

 A. 2d 817 (1995) (1995)  Doe v. Dominion Dominion Bank, 963 F. 2d 1552 (1992)  District of Columbia Columbia v. Doe, 524 524 A. 2d 30 (1987) Kline v. 1500 Massachusetts Ave.  Apts., 439 F. 2d 477 477 (1970)

Florida

Actual or Constructive Knowledge

T.W. v. Regal Trace Ltd., 908 So. 2d 499 (2005)  Menendezz v. The Palms West  Menende West Condo  Assoc., 736 So. So. 2d 58 (1999) (1999)

Georgia

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

 Agnes Scott Scott College, Inc. Inc. v Clark, 616 S.E. 2d 468 (2005) Sturbridge Partners v. Walker, 482 S.E. 2d 339 (1997) Wiggly Southern v. Snowden, 464 S.E. 2d 220 (1995) 

Hawaii

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces w/ Special Relationship

 Doe Parents Parents No. 1 v. State Depart., Depart., of Educ., 58 P. 3d 545 (2002)  Maguire v. v. Hilton Hotels, 899 899 P. 2d 393 (1995)  Doe v. Grosvenor Grosvenor Properties, Properties, 829 P.

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  2d 512 (1992)  Idaho

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

Sharp v. W.H. Moore, 796 P. 2d 506 (1990) 

Illinois

Special Relationship/ Relationshi p/ Special Circumstances

Salazar v. Crown Enterprises, Inc., 767 N.E. 2d 366 (2002)  Hills v. Bridgeview Bridgeview Little League, League, 745 N.E. 2d 1166 (2000) 

Indiana

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

 Zambrana v. v. Armenta, 819 N.E. 2d 881 (2004)  Delta Tau Delta Delta v. Johnson, Johnson, 712  N.E. 2d 968 (1999) (1999) 

Iowa

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

 Alexander v. Medical Associates  Alexander Associates Clinic, 646 N.W. 2d 74 (2002) Tenney v. Atlantic Associates, 594  N.W. 2d 11 (1999) (1999) 

Kansas

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

Gardin v. Emporia Hotels, Inc., 61 P. 3d 732 (2003) Seibert v. Vic Regnier Builders, 856 P. 2d 1332 (1993) 

Kentucky

Known Aggressor/ Imminent Danger

Waldon v. Paducah Housing  Authority, 854 854 S.W. 2d 777 (1991)  Heathcoate  Heathcoa te v. Bisig, 474 S.W. S.W. 2d 102 (1971) 

Louisiana

Balancing Test: Foreseeability Foreseeabilit y w/ Burden

Thompson v. Winn-Dixie, 812 So. 2d 829 (2002) Posecai v. Wal-Mart, 752 So. 2d 762 (1999) 

Maine

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

Stanton v. Univ. of Maine, 773 A. 2d 1045 (2001) Schlutz v. Gould Academy, 332 A. 2d 368 (1975) 

Maryland

Status or Special Relationship

 Hailman v. M.J.J. M.J.J. Production, 2 F. 3d 1149 (1993) Tucker v. KFC National  Management,  Manageme nt, 689 F. Supp. Supp. 560

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  (1988) 

Massachusetts

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

 Luisi v. Foodmaster Foodmaster Supermarkets Supermarkets,, 739 N.E. 2d 702 (2000) Whittaker v. Saraceno, 635 N.E. 2d 1185 (1994) Flood v. Southland Corp., 616 N.E. 2d 1068 (1993)

Michigan

Special Relationship/ Relationshi p/ Special Circumstances

Stanley v. Town Square Co-Op, 512  N.W. 2d 51 (1993) (1993)  Harkins v. Northwest Northwest Activity Activity Center, 453 N.W. 2d 677 (1990) Williams v. Cunningham Drug Stores, 418 N.W. 2d 381 (1988) 

Minnesota

Special Relationship/ Relationshi p/ Special Circumstances

 Errico v. Southland Southland Corp., Corp., 509 N.W. 2d 585 (1993)  Anders v. Trester, Trester, 562 N.W. N.W. 2d 45 (1997)  Erickson v. v. Curtis Investment, Investment, 447  N.W. 2d 165 (1989) (1989) 

Mississippi

Actual or Constructive Knowledge

Gatewood v. Sampson, 812 So. 2d 212 (2002) 

Missouri

Split Authority between: special relationship/special circumstances and prior similar incidents

 L.A.C. ex rel. D.C. v. Ward Parkway Shopping Center, 75 S.W. 3d 247 (2002)  Hudson v. Riverport Riverport Performance Performance  Arts, 37 S.W. 3d 3d 261 (2000) (2000)  Richardson v. QuikTrip Corp., 81  Richardson S.W. 3d 54 (2002) 

Montana

Prior Similar Incidents

Peschke v. Carroll College, 929 P. 2d 874 (1996) 

Nebraska

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

 Doe v. Gunny’s Gunny’s Ltd., 593 N.W. N.W. 2d 284 (1999) 

Nevada

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

 Doud v. Las Vegas Vegas Hilton Corp., Corp., 864 P. 2d 796 (1993)  Early v. N.L.V. Casino Casino Corp., 678 P. 2d 683 (1984) 

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New Hampshire Blended four standards: Special Relationship Special Circumstances Overriding Foreseeability

  Walls v. Oxford Management, 633  A. 2d 103 (1993) (1993) 

New Jersey

Assumed Duty Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

New Mexico

Prior Similar Incidents

Wilson v. Wal-Mart, 117 F. 3d 1429 (1997) 

New York

Prior Similar Incidents/Actual or Constructive Knowledge

Po W. Yuen v. 267 Canal Street

Saltsman v. Corazo, 721 A. 2d 1000 (1998)  Morris v. Krauszer’s Krauszer’s Food Stores,  Inc., 693 A. 2d 510 (1997) (1997) Clohesy v. Food Circus Supermarkets, 694 A. 2d 1017 (1997) 

Corp., 802 N.Y.S. 2d 306 (2005)  Moskal v. Fleet Fleet Bank, 694 N.Y.S. 2d 2d 555 (1999)  Jacqueline  Jacque line S. v. City of New New York, 598 N.Y.S. 2d 160 (1993) 

North Carolina

Balance between: Totality of the Circumstances andPrior Similar Incidents

Vera v. Five Crow Promotions, Inc., 503 S.E. 2d 692 (1998) Purvis v. Bryson’s Jewelers, 443 S.E. 2d 768 (1994)

North Dakota

Balance between: Totality of the Circumstances

 Zueger v. v. Carlson, 542 N.W. N.W. 2d 92 (1996) 

andPrior Similar Incidents Ohio

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

Krause v. Spartan Stores, Inc., 815  N.E. 2d 696 (2004) (2004) Collins v. Down River Specialties, Specialties, 715 N.E. 2d 189 (1998)  Hickman v. v. Warehouse Beer Systems, 620 N.E. 2d 949 (1993)

Oregon

Known Aggressor/ Imminent Danger

 Allstate Ins., Ins., v. Tenant Screening Screening Services, 914 P. 2d 16 (1996)  

Pennsylvania

Actual or Constructive

 Rabutino v. v. Freedom State Realty

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  Co., Inc., 809 A. 2d 933 (2002)  Rosa v. 1220 Uncle’s Inc., Inc., 2001 WL 1113016 (2001) 

Knowledge

Rhode Island

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

Volpe v. Gallagher, 821 A. 2d 699 (2003) 

South Carolina

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

 Jeffords v. v. Lesesne, Lesesne, 541 S.E. 2d 847 (2000) Callen v. Cale Yarborough  Enterprises,  Enterprise s, 442 S.E. 2d 216 216 (1994) 

South Dakota

Special Relationship/ Relationshi p/ Special Circumstances

Smith ex rel. Ross v. Lagow Construction & Developing, 642  N.W. 2d 187 (2002) (2002) 

Tennessee

Balancing Test: Foreseeability w/ Burden

Patterson Khoury v. Wilson World  Hotel-Cherry  Hotel-Cher ry Road, Inc., 139 139 S.W. 3d 281 (2003)  McClung v. Delta Delta Square Ltd., Ltd., 937 S.W. 2d 891 (1996) 

Texas

Prior Similar Incidents

Western Investments, Inc., v. Maria Urena, 162 S.W. 3d 547 (2005) Timberwalk Apartments v. Cain, 972 S.W. 2d 749 (1998)  Nixon v. MR. Property Property  Management,  Manageme nt, 690 S.W. 2d 546 546 (1985) 

Utah

Known Aggressor/ Imminent

Vermont

Danger None

Steffensen v. Smith’s Management Corp., 862 P. 2d 1342 (1993)  

Virginia

Blends: Special Relationship/ Relationshi p/ Special Circumstances w/Known Aggressor/Imminent Danger

Yuzefousky v. St. John’s Wood  Apartments,, 540 S.E. 2d 134 (2001)  Apartments Gupton v. Quicke, 442 S.E. 2d 658 (1994) 

Washington

Special Relationship/ Relationshi p/ Special Circumstances

Kim v. Budget Rent A Car Systems, 15 P. 3d 1283 (2001)  Nivens v. 7-11 7-11 Hoagy’s Corner, Corner, 943

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  P. 2d 286 (1997)  West Virginia

Special Relationship/ Relationshi p/ Special Circumstances

 Doe v. Wal-Mart Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Inc., 479 S.E. 2d 610 (1996)  Miller v. Whitworth, Whitworth, 455 S.E. 2d 821 (1995) 

Wisconsin

Totality of the Circumstances Circumsta nces

Peters v. Holiday Inns, 278 N.W. 2d 208 (1979) 

Wyoming

Balancing Test: Foreseeability w/Burden

Krier v. Safeway Stores 46, Inc., 943 P.2d 405 (1997)

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